Plastic packer

ABSTRACT

This invention is a packer that is a short pipe designed fit over a well pipe. The bottom of the pipe flares outward to provide a seal between the packer and the adjacent strata of earth or well casing. An annular ring is placed at the top of the flared section to create a more secure seal between the packer and the well casing. The packer is made of plastic and can be cast in a single step process. The packer is designed to easily attach to a well pipe in that the inside of the top of the packer that fits over the well pipe has numerous knurls running parallel to each other and along the pipe. These trenches are designed to allow glue to flow down between the well pipe and the packer to ensure attachment of the packer to the well pipe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The conventional packer now in use consists of a funnel shapedobject, made of rubber that is attached to the well pipe with a clamp.

[0002] A packer has to be designed to insure that the water or liquidbelow it in the well flows through the packer and the well pipe, notbetween the packer and the well pipe casing or the adjacent strata ofearth. Therefore, the packer has a means for stopping the flow of liquidaround it. There are a great number of methods in the prior art used toachieve this goal. The one most used is to place one or more annularrings on the outside of the packer. These annular rings can be about anyshape. P. Kollsman—U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,367 1968 in FIGS. 1 through 12shows many of the shapes these annular rings could take. No matter whatthe shape of the annular rings, they work by fitting tight against thewall of the casing. Basically, all of the methods of stopping the flowwork on the principal of fitting tightly against the casing so that nowater can pass. Some packers have packs that expand against the casingafter they are placed in the well casing. The usual method of causingthis expansion is compression on the packer or having a ring or partthat expands when wet. Another expansion method is expansion of aballoon-like structure against the pipe casing with a gas. Mostconventional packer also contains annular rings made out of elastomermaterial, usually rubber, around the outside to provide a seal betweenthe packer and the adjacent strata of earth.

[0003] The conventional packer most commonly used for the type of wellsthat the inventor packer is used consists of a funnel shaped pipe, madeof rubber that is attached to the well pipe with a clamp.

[0004] There are numerous problems with this packer. The first beingthat it is made of rubber and tears easily when being placed in thecasing and when in use. Thus one of the objectives of this invention isto create a packer that does not tear easily and will last a long timein the casing and around the well pipe. Another problem with theconventional packer is that it is attached to the well pipe with aclamp. This clamp is usually made of steel. Thus, the clamp will corrodein the wet environment of a well. Therefore, one of the objectives ofthis invention is to be able to attach the packer to the well pipe by ameans that does not corrode. There are other problems with the clamp.First, one needs to buy or find two parts instead of one. Secondly thetwo parts makes it more difficult to place the packer on the pipe.Another objective of this invention is to create a packer made out of asingle material that can easily be placed on the well pipe with glue. Bymaking the packer out of a single material, one can inexpensivelymanufacture the packer by molding.

[0005] There are numerous advantages of the invention. First, the packeris made out of plastic. Plastic is chosen for the packer because it hasoutstanding hydrolysis resistance and will not corrode like metal of theclamp. The invention also insures a longer life of the well casing andwell pipe, since the plastic packer will not enhance corrosion of thewell casing or the well pipe.

[0006] Another advantage is that the plastic packer is made of onematerial. This means it can be molded in a single step process.Therefore, the plastic packer can be produced easier and with lessexpense. If the plastic packer is made out of polyvinyl chloride, itwill have much better tear resistance than the rubber used on theconventional packer. This will make the annular ring seals much tougherand more resistant to tearing. The plastic packer is also glued to thewell pipe. This makes for quick an easy attachment to the pipe.

[0007] One of the unique features of this packer which is not found onother packer in the art is a set of knurls. These knurls are place onthe inside of the packer where the packer meets the well pipe. To placethe packer on the well pipe the pipe is wiped with a solvent and glue isplaced on the pipe where the packer is to be placed. The packer is thenpulled over the pipe and into place over the glue and the glue is forcedinto the knurls and between the packer and the well pipe. An area at thebottom of the packer has no knurls and keeps the glue from seeping outfrom between the packer and the knurls.

[0008] Another unique feature of the packer which is not found on theconventional packer now in use is the annular ring at the top of thepacker. The conventional packer is a conic section but does not have theannular ring at the top. This annular ring makes for a much better sealagainst the well pipe casing then just the top of the conic section.This annular insures that the water in the well passes up the inside ofthe well pipe and not around the well pipe and the packer.

[0009] The object of this invention is to produce a packer that iseasier and less expensive to manufacture, easier to work with, has along life, and will not corrode. The main features that make theinvention achieve these objectives is that the packer is made of onlyone material, plastic.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is the bottem view of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line b-b of FIG. 1 of theinvention that shows the knurls.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a view of the packer on the well pipe with the wellcasing cut away.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This invention is a packer that is a short pipe designed fit overa well pipe. The top of the pipe flares outward to provide a sealbetween the packer and the adjacent strata of earth or well casing. Anannular ring is placed at the top of the flared section to create a moresecure seal between the packer and the well casing. The packer is madeof plastic and can be cast in a single step process. The packer isdesigned to easily attach to a well pipe in that the inside of the topof the packer that fits over the well pipe has numerous knurls runningparallel to each other and along the pipe. These trenches are designedto allow glue to flow down between the well pipe and the packer toensure attachment of the packer to the well pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014]FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the invention. FIG. 2 is a section viewof the invention along line b-b of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 and 2 shows that atthe bottom of the packer 10 is a short, cylindrical piece 12. In thepreferred embodiment the cylindrical piece 12 is approximately 2 incheslong. The diameter of the cylindrical piece 12 is determined by the sizeof the well pipe. Integrally attached to the top of the cylindricalpiece 12 is a flared piece 14. The flared piece 14 is circular at thetop and bottom. The bottom of the flared piece 14 which integrallyattaches to the cylindrical piece 12 and has the same diameter as thecylindrical piece 12. The top diameter of the flared piece 14 is largerthan the bottom diameter. Integrally attached to the top of the flaredpiece 14 is an annular ring 18. The inner diameter of the annular ring18 is the same diameter as the diameter of the flared piece 14. In thepreferred embodiment the annular ring is approximately ⅝ of an inch.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows that on the inside of the cylindrical piece 12 is aset of knurls 20. These knurls 20 run length wise down the cylindricalpiece 12 and in the preferred embodiment, the set runs all the wayaround the inner circumference of the cylinder. The knurls 20 in thepreferred embodiment are approximately {fraction (1/64)} of an inchwide. The knurls 20 do not run fully down the cylindrical piece 12. Atthe bottom of the cylindrical piece is an area 26 that the knurls 20 donot extend within. In the preferred embodiment this area 26 isapproximately ¼ of an inch.

[0016]FIG. 3 shows the packer 10 within a well 22. To place the packer10 on the well pipe 24, the well pipe 24 is wiped with a solvent andglue is placed on the well pipe 24 where the packer 10 is to be placed.The packer 10 is then pulled over the well pipe 24 and into place overthe glue and the glue is forced into the knurls 20 and between thepacker 10 and the well pipe 24. An area 26 at the bottom of the packer10 which has no knurls 20, keeps the glue from seeping out from betweenthe packer 10 and the well pipe 24. Thus when the glue dries the packer10 to securely attach to the well pipe 24. The well pipe 24 is thenplaced in the well 22. The outer diameter of the angular ring 18 isslightly larger than diameter of the well 22. Thus, the angular ring 18slightly bends on the end as it is placed into the well 22 forming asecure seal that will not allow water to pass between the packer 10 andthe earthen sides 26 of well 22 or the adjacent strata.

[0017] One of the most important features of the packer 10 is that thepacker 10 is made of plastic. In the preferred embodiment, the packer 10is made out of polyvinyl chloride. However, other plastics of sufficientstiffness and hydraulic qualities could be used. Plastic is chosen forthe packer because it has outstanding hydrolysis.

[0018] Another important feature is that the packer 10 is made of onematerial. This means that it can be molded by a single-step process. Itcan basically be molded by six different processes: open cast,compression molding, transfer molding, injection molding, centrifugalcasting, and vacuum molding. In the open cast method the plastic ispoured into an open plastic packer 10 mold and allowed to set. The moldis then opened and the plastic packer is taken out. In the compressionmolding method the plastic is put into an expanded mold. The mold isthen compressed and held until the plastic has set. The plastic packer(10) is then removed from the mold. In transfer molding the plastic isthen forced through sprues and runners in a compression mold of theplastic packer (10). The plastic is held in the compression mold underpressure until it has set. In the injection mold process the plasticmaterial in a fluid or semi-fluid is forced into the mold of the plasticpacker (10) under pressure and held until the reactants set. Incentrifugal casting the plastic material enters the center of theplastic packer mold and is pushed into the mold cavity by centrifugalforce. The centrifugal force continues until all the reactants have set.In the vacuum molding the plastic packer (10) mold is placed in a vacuumchamber and the air is evacuated. The mold is then filled with plasticand held until the reactants have set.

[0019] Many changes and modifications in the above described embodimentof the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing fromthe scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope is intended to be limited onlyby the scope of the appending claim.

What is claimed is as follows:
 1. A packer for a water well whichattaches near the end of a well pipe and said well pipe has an outerdiameter comprising: a. a piece which is cylindrical with two ends andan inside and an outside adapted to allow liquids to flow through it andsaid piece has a diameter and a inter diameter and said inter diameteris approximately the same as the outer diameter of the well pipe; and,b. a flared piece with a top and bottom said bottom of the flared pieceis integrally attached to the piece and the bottom of the flared piecediameter is the same as the piece's diameter and said bottom of theflared piece has an outer diameter; and, c. a means for stopping liquidsfrom flowing between the outside of the packer and an adjacent strata orwell casing; and d. the packer is made of a single material; and e. thepacker is attached to the well pipe by gluing.
 2. A packer as in claim 1wherein: a. the single material is plastic.
 3. A packer as in claim 1wherein: a. the means for stopping liquids from flowing between theoutside of the packer and an adjacent strata or well casing is anannular ring integrally attached to the top of the flared piece and saidannular ring's inter diameter is the same as the flared piece outerdiameter and the outer diameter of the annular ring is of sufficientsize that when the packer is attached to the well pipe and placed in thewell that the annular ring makes contact with the well casing or theadjacent strata and stops the flow of liquids between the packer and thewell casing or the adjacent strata.
 4. A packer as in claim 2 wherein:a. a. the means for stopping liquids from flowing between the outside ofthe packer and an adjacent strata or well casing is an annular ringintegrally attached to the top of the flared piece and said annularring's inter diameter is the same as the flared piece outer diameter andthe outer diameter of the annular ring is of sufficient size that whenthe packer is attached to the well pipe and placed in the well that theannular ring makes contact with the well casing or the adjacent strataand stops the flow of liquids between the packer and the well casing orthe adjacent strata.
 5. A packer as in claim 1 further comprising: a. aset of knurls running around the inside circumference of the piece andsaid knurls are parallel to each other and run lengthwise along thepiece.
 6. A packer as in claim 5 wherein: a. the knurls on the inside ofthe cylindrical piece do not run fully to the bottom of the cylindricalpiece forming a small area without knurls.
 7. A packer as in claim 6wherein: a. the knurls are design such that when the packer is attachedto the well pipe glue can be distributed above the top of thecylindrical piece and when the packer is pulled over the glue, the glueis forced into the knurls and the area which the knurls do not extendwithin keeps the glue from seeping out the bottom of the packer andmakes for a more secure attachment of the packer to the well pipe whenthe glue dries.
 8. A packer as in claim 2 further comprising: a. a setof knurls running around the inside circumference of the piece and saidknurls are parallel to each other and run lengthwise along the piece. 9.A packer as in claim 8 wherein: a. the knurls on the inside of thecylindrical piece do not run fully to the bottom of the cylindricalpiece forming a small area without knurls.
 10. A packer as in claim 9wherein: a. the knurls are design such that when the packer is attachedto the well pipe glue can be distributed around the well pipe and whenthe packer is pulled down the well pipe over the glue, the glue is forceinto the knurls and the area which the knurls do not extend within keepsthe glue from seeping out the bottom of the packer and makes for a moresecure attachment of the packer to the well pipe when the glue dries.11. A packer as in claim 4 further comprising: a. a set of knurlsrunning around the inside circumference of the piece and said knurls areparallel to each other and run lengthwise along the piece.
 12. A packeras in claim 11 wherein: a. the knurls on the inside of the cylindricalpiece do not run fully to the bottom of the cylindrical piece forming asmall area without knurls.
 13. A packer as in claim 12 wherein: a. theknurls are design such that when the packer is attached to the well pipeglue can be distributed around the well pipe and when the packer ispulled down the well pipe over the glue, the glue is force into theknurls and the area which the knurls do not extend within keeps the gluefrom seeping out the bottom of the packer and makes for a more secureattachment of the packer to the well pipe when the glue dries.
 14. Apacker as in claim 5 wherein: a. the knurls on the inside of thecylindrical piece do not run fully to the bottom of the cylindricalpiece.
 15. A packer as in claim 14 wherein: a. the knurls on the insideof the cylindrical piece do not run fully to the bottom of thecylindrical piece forming a small area without knurls.
 16. A packer asin claim 15 wherein: a. the knurls are design such that when the packeris attached to the well pipe glue can be distributed around the wellpipe and when the packer is pulled down the well pipe over the glue, theglue is force into the knurls and the area which the knurls do notextend within keeps the glue from seeping out the bottom of the packerand makes for a more secure attachment of the packer to the well pipewhen the glue dries.
 17. A packer as in claim 2 wherein: a. the singlematerial is polyvinyl chloride.
 18. A packer as in claim 1 prepared by aprocess comprising: a. molding or casting the packer.
 19. A packer as inclaim 2 prepared by a process comprising: a. molding or casting thepacker.
 20. A packer as in claim 4 prepared by a process comprising: a.molding or casting the packer.